"20b Contest": The GREATEST FIGHTS EVER

[McGoorty]

Any REQUESTS Out there for my next CLASSIC FIGHT ??..... who do you want featured ???

[McGoorty]

Still no Requests ????... So I pick the next one too !!!

The DRAW That Wasn't,.....

An Article from "The St. Paul Daily Globe", Sunday, 18th MARCH 1894

YOUNG GRIFFO Vs IKE WEIR : Chicago, 17th MARCH 1894

TWO HOT ROUNDS Between the "BELFAST SPIDER" and YOUNG GRIFFO ;. A crowd which filled to overflowing, the Second Armoury Regiment tonight saw Ike Weir, the Belfast Spider, and Albert Griffiths, better known as Young Griffo, box two hot rounds. They had started on the third when the fight was stopped by the police. Griffo showed plainly that he weighed more, by 10 or 15 pounds, than the "Spider", and in science was more than a match for Weir. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The main event was preceded by sparring of a tender nature by two local lights. Weirs seconds were Solly Smith and Harry Gilmore, while Griffo had his trainer, Sam Fitzpatrick, Jack Costello and Steve O'Donnell. The timekeepers were Malachi Hogan for Weir and Jerry Daily for Young Griffo, the referee was George Siler. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the first round, Weir led for Griffo but fell short, receiving a hot blow on the ribs in return. Griffo landed on Weir's neck twice, and reached for his face but was stopped. It was give and take, with fast infighting, and the round ended in Griffo's favour. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the call of the second round, Griffo went at Weir in a lively manner, and soon had him winded. Following up this advantage, Griffo knocked Weir to his knees, and when he jumped up Griffo hit him again, avoiding a clinch, and coming back, knocked Weir down again for the second time,...... This was followed by three more successive knockdowns, and Weir was all but out at the end of the second. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Round three began with Weir bravely rushing Griffo, but the advantage of extra weight was too much for the "Spider". Twice Griffo knocked Weir down, and the latter was obliged to take time getting back to his feet, being very groggy. At this juncture, Inspector Shea, ordered the contest stopped, and Weir's seconds rushed into the ring and helped him to his corner. The referee was obliged to call the fight a DRAW (??????), much to the intense disgust of the crowd.

Griffo wuz robbed !!!... THATS IT.... I'm Adding one more KO & WIN onto Griffo's Record....... What a destruction.. at least SEVEN KNOCKDOWNS..... WOW !!!

[McGoorty]

The DRAW That Wasn't,.....

An Article from "The St. Paul Daily Globe", Sunday, 18th MARCH 1894

YOUNG GRIFFO Vs IKE WEIR : Chicago, 17th MARCH 1894

TWO HOT ROUNDS Between the "BELFAST SPIDER" and YOUNG GRIFFO ;. A crowd which filled to overflowing, the Second Armoury Regiment tonight saw Ike Weir, the Belfast Spider, and Albert Griffiths, better known as Young Griffo, box two hot rounds. They had started on the third when the fight was stopped by the police. Griffo showed plainly that he weighed more, by 10 or 15 pounds, than the "Spider", and in science was more than a match for Weir. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The main event was preceded by sparring of a tender nature by two local lights. Weirs seconds were Solly Smith and Harry Gilmore, while Griffo had his trainer, Sam Fitzpatrick, Jack Costello and Steve O'Donnell. The timekeepers were Malachi Hogan for Weir and Jerry Daily for Young Griffo, the referee was George Siler. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the first round, Weir led for Griffo but fell short, receiving a hot blow on the ribs in return. Griffo landed on Weir's neck twice, and reached for his face but was stopped. It was give and take, with fast infighting, and the round ended in Griffo's favour. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the call of the second round, Griffo went at Weir in a lively manner, and soon had him winded. Following up this advantage, Griffo knocked Weir to his knees, and when he jumped up Griffo hit him again, avoiding a clinch, and coming back, knocked Weir down again for the second time,...... This was followed by three more successive knockdowns, and Weir was all but out at the end of the second. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Round three began with Weir bravely rushing Griffo, but the advantage of extra weight was too much for the "Spider". Twice Griffo knocked Weir down, and the latter was obliged to take time getting back to his feet, being very groggy. At this juncture, Inspector Shea, ordered the contest stopped, and Weir's seconds rushed into the ring and helped him to his corner. The referee was obliged to call the fight a DRAW (??????), much to the intense disgust of the crowd.

Griffo wuz robbed !!!... THATS IT.... I'm Adding one more KO & WIN onto Griffo's Record....... What a destruction.. at least SEVEN KNOCKDOWNS..... WOW !!!

Coming up Next,..... Jack Johnson Versus Sam Langford...As per request from fightfanSHO... ------------------It will take a little time so while I do some reading how about reading this Newspaper report of this "World Heavyweight Title Fight",.... between legends Sam McVEY and Sam LANGFORD..... You can tell me which number of their series this was................... ...... TRY READING THIS LINK...http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi...9120103.2.30.1

[McGoorty]

JACK JOHNSON Vs SAM LANGFORD

JACK JOHNSON Vs SAM LANGFORD ; 26th, APRIL 1906

Adapted from the "Boston Journal", 27-4-1906 ;--

Sam Langford was beaten badly at Chelsea last night, but he earned the the cheers of his admirers, and some others besides, by a superb exhibition of grit and courage that simply is rarely ever seen. Langford was totally outmatched by Johnson, who looked huge alongside the Boston Tar Baby, towering over him, but Langford showed no fear,..... he should have. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He was there throughout the 15 rounds and saved a lot of money for his friends who had laid down large sums that Sam would last the first 10 rounds. But it was a question of if Sam were made of wire, for the punishment he took would seriously threaten one's health. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Most of Johnson's punches were at Langford's head, it is doubtful that Sam would have survived the 15 rounds if the Galveston Giant had done more body work, but big Jack seemed to want to prolong the severe drubbing. Sam was outweighed by a massive 35 lbs., and Johnson was too clever, too fast, too strong, too heavy and his punching was far more powerful. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sam Langford was knocked down 3 times in the fight, on the first occasion, Sam seemed to slip and there seemed to be little contact from Jacks fist, and the crowd hissed when the referee counted it as a knockdown. Then, in the sixth, Johnson landed a savage and powerful left hook to Langford's jaw,.... down he went, and he was momentarily completely still and lying flat on his face. Sam Langford stunned onlookers as he bravely made it to his feet by the count of nine. Jack pounced with a savage uppercut and Sam covered up, Jack then smashed a dynamite right hand to Sam's chin.... he went down again for another count of nine, it is likely that the bell saved him from a K.O., what was keeping Sam going ???.... it seemed the next round would be the last. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Langford stayed on his feet for the rest of the fight, but it was one-sided. Sam would rush in behind desperate left hands but Jack was always there, hitting Sam with two, three and four uppercuts, and some less legal punches. Sam at times had success with his body shots, but it was never going to be enough, Johnson was as hard as teak and he laughed in Langfords face as he always does. Sam's best punches of the fight were his clubbing overhand right but the heavier man was in no way under distress from these, there was simply nothing that seemed to work for the smaller man. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Despite Johnson's complete dominance, most observers were unimpressed, they were of the opinion that Jack Johnson was simply not ready for the Champion Jim Jeffries, saying that Jeff would have kayoed Langford well inside the the 15 rounds. The common opinion was that Jeffries was far superior to Johnson, and his power too much.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Johnsons corner were, Joe Walcott, Kid Murray, Jack McCloskey and Santy Ferguson with George Dixon giving advice from the corner. In Langford's corner were George Byers, Andy Watson and others.

[McGoorty]

Barbados JOE WALCOTT Vs Young PETER JACKSON

JOE WALCOTT Vs Young PETER JACKSON III ; 13 March 1902

Round by Round description from Boston's "THE SUN"... 14 March 1902 ;...."Young Peter Jackson fights him hard for 10 rounds";... Joe Walcott, The "Barbados wonder" attempted to put Young Peter Jackson out in a 10 round contest last night. He failed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There was plenty of money in the box office for Walcott to try to knock Jackson out, but despite his great ability, Jackson proved his mettle with a wonderful performance, and he showed great promise. There has never been a larger attendance than this one before in the Germania Club, the crowd was thrilled at the hard fought contest for most of this great fight.------------------------------------------------------------------ ROUND 1;... Jackson went right at Walcott from the start and kept at him throughout. His plan of battle quickly comprehended, Jackson was a bit over-anxious at first, but he got settled after a few brief, but furious exchanges. But it was Walcott that got in the first dangerous blow and it was a brutal right to the body. Savage exchanges followed and just as the gong rang, Jackson landed a hard one on Walcott's jaw. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 2 ;... Walcott landed a short hard jab to Jackson's face, Peter rolled with it, ducked and was caught with a nice oppercut, but he took the punch without flinching. Jackson replied with a stinging right to the jaw and in trying to do it again, lost balance and fell, it was no knockdown and Walcott had not thrown a punch. Walcott noticed Jackson ducking his head low, he tried an uppercut without success, Young Jackson slipping nicely. Walcot then resorted to left jabs which brought him instant success. As the round was ending, Jackson walked into a pulverising right to the side of his head, he seemed to take it without problem. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ROUND 3 ;... Walcott jabbed then threw a right cross but Jackson stepped back and it fell short. Peter ducked his head and Joe clubbed him hard on the ear with a right, this seemed to have an effect as Jackson immediately broke away, Walcott then jabbed to great effect again then got in hard rights and lefts to the body. Joe Gans called to Jackson to go in, Walcott heard Gans, turned and told him to button it, but Peter heard him and went in hard, Walcott boxed nicely to end the round. ------------------------------------------------- ROUND 4 ;... Both men were still fresh as they came out, and very determined. Walcott got in first with two hard blows to the body, for the first time there was clinching and very rugged infighting causing the large crowd to scream with amazement as these two great warriors battled it out. They broke and as Walcott stepped back, Jackson landed a neat uppercut which snapped Walcotts shaven head back, it was a terrible blow, the force should have knocked him out, and then for good measure with a hard blow to the jaw and another right cross thudded in at the gong. The round, which had started off as Walcott's, was masterfully evened up by the end,... a great round. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 5 ;... Jackson began to force the fight even harder than before. Walcott aimed a vicious right, it fell short but he scored to the body with the follow-up, it was a very hard jolt, many in the crowd were stunned at Jackson's toughness. Jackson retaliated fiercely with a hard hook to the jaw. Walcott called Jackson something unprintable and enfuriated rushed at Peter and drove him into the ropes, then they roughed each other up with more savage and unrelenting fury. This was becoming a grudge fight, earlier, Walcott had a lot to say, but now he was silent,... there was no moment to relax, such was the pace. The referee broke them apart and Walcott pounced again and hit him good and hard. This forced jackson to the ropes. The bell rang with Walcott pummeling away. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 6 ;... Jackson started the round off with a bang, he caught Walcott flush in the side of his head, it was a fearful blow. But Walcott was un-shaken by it, instead it seemed to spark him up and he replied with two good body shots without return. Jackson then sailed in and with short arm punches began out-fighting the champion. He then whalloped Walcott with a blow that staggered him, Jackson, smelling blood lost his senses for a moment and swung a blow and missed and it was Jackson that went down instead. When he got up he forced the pace and Walcott threw some fast punches, but jackson stood his ground, and for the first time Walcott seemed to be in trouble at the end of the round. This was a huge round for Young Peter Jackson, and the crowd was at a fever pitch. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 7 ;... But again Walcott came up fresh, and landed three left jabs to the face before Jackson retaliated with a hard short jolt to the head. The two battlers fell into clinching, Walcott landed some more good shots and finished the round with a hard uppercut... this was Joe's best round since the early stages,.. Walcott's round. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 8 ;... Gans told Jackson during the break to go hard from the bell. Peter did as instructed and took the fight up to Walcott who fended him off with jabs. Walcott landed a blow to the neck but Jackson forced the fight but Walcott edged the round with a quick flurry as the gong sounded... Walcott takes this round,,,, just. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 9 ;... Jackson jabbed Joe's face but walked into a hard body blow that made Peter go into a clinch, it may have hurt him, and for the first time in many rounds, Walcott started his incessant verbalising again, as usual with Joe,,,, the words were all of the unprintable nature, it was something the Barbados Wonder was a master of. Al Herford who was in Jackson's corner yelled back "It's your last chance Joe"...... the fight was so close now that nobody could predict the outcome, and there was just ONE round to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 10 ;... Both men were still strong enough to be dangerous, it was Walcott's last chance to earn the big money, he had bet that he would knock Jackson out, no knockout, no money. As a result of this, Walcott threw caution to the wind, if he was going to fail to score the needed knockout, at least the paying customers would get their money's worth, they were already paid back after nine very hard fought rounds. Jackson knowing the score frustrated Walcott with clinching and rough tactics and referee was getting hoarse in the throat from yelling out, "let go, let go and fight. Jackson got in a hard shot over Walcott's eye and it was swelling up badly by now. -------------------- Walcott then got in a hard left and right to the face and Jackson clinched again. As they broke from this clinch Jackson landed a massive uppercut square on Walcott's chin. Walcott landed a hard reply to Jacksons body then Joe fell into a clinch, before another punch was thrown, the final gong sounded. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------The regular Baltimore fans were unanimous in their praise for both men and said it was the hardest fought battle seen there in many years.

JOE WALCOTT Draw 10 Young PETER JACKSON

How did you like that one folks ???

[McGoorty]

JOE WALCOTT Vs Young PETER JACKSON ; 13 March 1902

Round by Round description from Boston's "THE SUN"... 14 March 1902 ;...."Young Peter Jackson fights him hard for 10 rounds";... Joe Walcott, The "Barbados wonder" attempted to put Young Peter Jackson out in a 10 round contest last night. He failed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There was plenty of money in the box office for Walcott to try to knock Jackson out, but despite his great ability, Jackson proved his mettle with a wonderful performance, and he showed great promise. There has never been a larger attendance than this one before in the Germania Club, the crowd was thrilled at the hard fought contest for most of this great fight.------------------------------------------------------------------ ROUND 1;... Jackson went right at Walcott from the start and kept at him throughout. His plan of battle quickly comprehended, Jackson was a bit over-anxious at first, but he got settled after a few brief, but furious exchanges. But it was Walcott that got in the first dangerous blow and it was a brutal right to the body. Savage exchanges followed and just as the gong rang, Jackson landed a hard one on Walcott's jaw. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 2 ;... Walcott landed a short hard jab to Jackson's face, Peter rolled with it, ducked and was caught with a nice oppercut, but he took the punch without flinching. Jackson replied with a stinging right to the jaw and in trying to do it again, lost balance and fell, it was no knockdown and Walcott had not thrown a punch. Walcott noticed Jackson ducking his head low, he tried an uppercut without success, Young Jackson slipping nicely. Walcot then resorted to left jabs which brought him instant success. As the round was ending, Jackson walked into a pulverising right to the side of his head, he seemed to take it without problem. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ROUND 3 ;... Walcott jabbed then threw a right cross but Jackson stepped back and it fell short. Peter ducked his head and Joe clubbed him hard on the ear with a right, this seemed to have an effect as Jackson immediately broke away, Walcott then jabbed to great effect again then got in hard rights and lefts to the body. Joe Gans called to Jackson to go in, Walcott heard Gans, turned and told him to button it, but Peter heard him and went in hard, Walcott boxed nicely to end the round. ------------------------------------------------- ROUND 4 ;... Both men were still fresh as they came out, and very determined. Walcott got in first with two hard blows to the body, for the first time there was clinching and very rugged infighting causing the large crowd to scream with amazement as these two great warriors battled it out. They broke and as Walcott stepped back, Jackson landed a neat uppercut which snapped Walcotts shaven head back, it was a terrible blow, the force should have knocked him out, and then for good measure with a hard blow to the jaw and another right cross thudded in at the gong. The round, which had started off as Walcott's, was masterfully evened up by the end,... a great round. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 5 ;... Jackson began to force the fight even harder than before. Walcott aimed a vicious right, it fell short but he scored to the body with the follow-up, it was a very hard jolt, many in the crowd were stunned at Jackson's toughness. Jackson retaliated fiercely with a hard hook to the jaw. Walcott called Jackson something unprintable and enfuriated rushed at Peter and drove him into the ropes, then they roughed each other up with more savage and unrelenting fury. This was becoming a grudge fight, earlier, Walcott had a lot to say, but now he was silent,... there was no moment to relax, such was the pace. The referee broke them apart and Walcott pounced again and hit him good and hard. This forced jackson to the ropes. The bell rang with Walcott pummeling away. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 6 ;... Jackson started the round off with a bang, he caught Walcott flush in the side of his head, it was a fearful blow. But Walcott was un-shaken by it, instead it seemed to spark him up and he replied with two good body shots without return. Jackson then sailed in and with short arm punches began out-fighting the champion. He then whalloped Walcott with a blow that staggered him, Jackson, smelling blood lost his senses for a moment and swung a blow and missed and it was Jackson that went down instead. When he got up he forced the pace and Walcott threw some fast punches, but jackson stood his ground, and for the first time Walcott seemed to be in trouble at the end of the round. This was a huge round for Young Peter Jackson, and the crowd was at a fever pitch. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 7 ;... But again Walcott came up fresh, and landed three left jabs to the face before Jackson retaliated with a hard short jolt to the head. The two battlers fell into clinching, Walcott landed some more good shots and finished the round with a hard uppercut... this was Joe's best round since the early stages,.. Walcott's round. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 8 ;... Gans told Jackson during the break to go hard from the bell. Peter did as instructed and took the fight up to Walcott who fended him off with jabs. Walcott landed a blow to the neck but Jackson forced the fight but Walcott edged the round with a quick flurry as the gong sounded... Walcott takes this round,,,, just. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 9 ;... Jackson jabbed Joe's face but walked into a hard body blow that made Peter go into a clinch, it may have hurt him, and for the first time in many rounds, Walcott started his incessant verbalising again, as usual with Joe,,,, the words were all of the unprintable nature, it was something the Barbados Wonder was a master of. Al Herford who was in Jackson's corner yelled back "It's your last chance Joe"...... the fight was so close now that nobody could predict the outcome, and there was just ONE round to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROUND 10 ;... Both men were still strong enough to be dangerous, it was Walcott's last chance to earn the big money, he had bet that he would knock Jackson out, no knockout, no money. As a result of this, Walcott threw caution to the wind, if he was going to fail to score the needed knockout, at least the paying customers would get their money's worth, they were already paid back after nine very hard fought rounds. Jackson knowing the score frustrated Walcott with clinching and rough tactics and referee was getting hoarse in the throat from yelling out, "let go, let go and fight. Jackson got in a hard shot over Walcott's eye and it was swelling up badly by now. -------------------- Walcott then got in a hard left and right to the face and Jackson clinched again. As they broke from this clinch Jackson landed a massive uppercut square on Walcott's chin. Walcott landed a hard reply to Jacksons body then Joe fell into a clinch, before another punch was thrown, the final gong sounded. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------The regular Baltimore fans were unanimous in their praise for both men and said it was the hardest fought battle seen there in many years.

JOE WALCOTT Draw 10 Young PETER JACKSON

How did you like that one folks ???

C'mon guys, I'd like some feedback.... and a request for a classic fight..... who do you want to read next.

[McGoorty]

Bump......... I thought you folks would have liked this fight thread...... anybody read any of these fights on here ?????????

[McGoorty]

1903-03-30 Philadelphia Jack O'Brien ND6 Joe Choynski [Washington Sporting Club, Philadelphia, PA, USA]
1903-03-31 The Boston Daily Globe (Boston, MA) (page 5)
O'BRIEN WINS ON POINTS.
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His Blows Lack Force, and He Fails to Knock Out Choynski in a Six-Round Bout.

PHILADELPHIA, March 30.--"Jack" O'Brien of this city tonight outpointed Joe Choynski in a six-round bout at the Washington sporting club. Choynski was not match for O'Brien, whose failure to score a knockout was due to the lack of force behind his blows.

Choynski started well, but appeared to lose heart under O'Brien's unceasing rain of left-hand jabs. From the second until the last round Choynski's only object seemed to be to stay the limit.

The third and fourth rounds were particularly tame and the referee warned the men. In the sixth O'Brien was more aggressive and subjected his opponent to a severe drubbing, but his jabs and punches lacked the power to put Choynski to sleep.1903-03-31 The Evening World (New York, NY) (page 10)
JACK O'BRIEN'S JABS BEWILDERED CHOYNSKI
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Majority of Spectators at Bout in Philadelphia Thought Quaker Had Better of It.
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(Special to the Evening World.)

PHILADELPHIA, March 31.--Jack O'Brien added another leaf to his laurels last night when he defeated Joe Choynski in six rounds. The bout was far from satisfactory to the majority of the spectators because the men resorted to clever boxing. The referee warned the men in the fifth to box harder. The warning was not thrown away, as the men let out a few wraps and showed what was possible.

In the first two rounds there was little to be desired. The two men were on their best behavior. Choynski eased up in the third and took matters easily, either from self-inclination or inability to land on the elusive Philadelphian. O'Brien followed suit, but it was less noticeable than in his opponent. The fourth was a repetition of the third and the crowd began to hiss.

In the fifth round the men were cautioned and soon made the fur fly again. The sixth and last round was a hummer. Many of those present thought the men were faking because they were not covered with blood.

O'Brien and Choynski are boxers, part excellence, and not fighters of the stamp of Maher, Marvin Hart and "Kid" Carter. The Philadelphian is one of the quickest and cleverest two-handed fighters in the business, and ordinarily clever men appear slow beside him. Choynski is clever also, but the continual passage of O'Brien's gloved hands in front of his face somewhat nonplussed him.

Whether O'Brien's fast work made him appear slow, or whether despairing of reaching O'Brien's vital spot he eased up, is best known to himself, but it is a long time since Joe made such a poor exhibition. He seemed afraid to lead and his nimble opponent was on top of him all the time. Once or twice he made O'Brien wince with the effect of blows on the face and over the heart, but at no time did a knockout appear imminent. O'Brien from the start resorted to his mode of attack, jabbing with his left and trying to cross with his right. Time and again he got home on Choynski's brow and face, but the blows lacked steam. He did most of the leading and seldom failed to land.

Joe was some time sizing his man up, and just before the end of the first round caught O'Brien a vicious jolt under the eye which raised a "mouse." The second was a repetition of the first. O'Brien worked his left repeatedly in Choynski's face without a return. He varied this with an occasional swing. Choynski opened the third round with a stiff punch over the heart, but Jack got back on Joe's nose six times in succession. He had Choynski on the ropes at the end of the round.

There was no boxing in the last round. Choynski showed to better advantage than in any of the previous rounds. He caught Jack a stinging blow in the face which straightened up the Quaker. He then visited Jack's ribs two or three times. O'Brien got home several stiff heart blows when Joe set the blood flowing again from the cut over O'Brien's optic. O'Brien wound up the bout by several nasty jabs in Choynski's face. The bout was all O'Brien's.

Willie Mack, the clever light-weight boxer of Brooklyn, easily bested Otto Knapp, the Cleveland welter-weight, in the semi-wind up. The men engaged in a six-round bout, and, although Knapp had every advantage over Mack, the latter outpointed him throughout the contest. Mack used a straight left continually into Knapp's face and raised a lump over his eye. He also dazed the Clevelander several times.

Mack came near finishing Knapp with a few left hooks on the jaw, but the bell sounded in time to prevent such a proceeding. Mack's showing was so good that he has been promised a match with one of the best men in the Quaker City.

[McGoorty]

1884-03-06 Jack Dempsey W-RTD9 Billy Dacey [Campbell's Hotel, Coney Island, NY, USA]
1884-03-07 The New York Herald (New York, NY) (page 9)
DEMPSEY DEFEATS DACEY.
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Determined Glove Fight at Coney Island.
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NINE ROUNDS DECIDED.
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Dacey Pulls Off His Gloves and Quits when in Good Condition.
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Within sound of the billows of the Atlantic as they dashed on the sea girt shore of Long Island a company of three or four hundred men assembled at an early hour yesterday morning for the purpose of witnessing the glove fight between Jack Dempsey, of Williamsburg, and Billy Dacey, of Greenpoint, who were, according to articles of agreement, to fight for the sum of $300 under the Queensberry rules. It was a cold day for the short haired fraternity, the snow storm of Wednesday having covered the ground to the depth of several inches. Coach hire was expensive and walking was almost out of the question, except to those who will defy the elementals as well as the law in search of illegal sport. The experience of the "swells" at the recent Henry and Murray fight, with the accompaniments of subpoenas as witnesses, kept this class of patrons away, and when the Herald reporter reached the scene of action at midnight he looked for a long time in vain for a sight at the face of a ringside frequenter. The barroom of the hotel was tolerably well filled, but those present were so far local residents. About some there was a flavor of the stable, both in appearance and aroma, suggestive of Brighton Beach, but the majority had that far away look and hands-in-the-pocket slouch habitual with those who frequent the country grocery. Two or three females made themselves very much at home in the barroom, but did not add anything to the respectability of the place.

It was a dull, melancholy gathering. The stable gang canvassed the probabilities on forthcoming races at New Orleans, while the locals maintained a stolid silence, and but for the oaths the assemblage was orderly enough for a prayer meeting. A Mr. Sullivan raised his doleful voice and informed the company, in response to a call for a song, that France has the lily, England the rose,
Everybody knows where the shamrock grows,
Scotland the thistle that grows on the 'ill,
But America's emblem 's the violet still.

It was not until a gentleman unfolded a piece of painted oilcloth, produced a dice box and pair of dice, that the feeling of depression in the crowd was removed. In response to the invitation to bet on the chances of "under seven or even seven, a hundred can play as well as one," the racing gang first responded, then one or two of the New York sports chipped in, and the game received a fair amount of patronage, till a move was made for the ball room, on which a ring had already been roped out of about eighteen feet square. By half-past two o'clock the last quarter had been squeezed out of the local division, and all who could muster that amount were in the room, the company numbering little short of four hundred. Two lamps hung over the centre of the ring, fairly well lighting up the room. Everything was ready but the men, and of these the first to appear was Dacey, attended by George Fulljames and Jim Driscoll. Dacey entered the ring at a quarter to three o'clock, and it was well that he had all his clothes on, for Dempsey did not appear until half an hour later.

TWENTY DOLLARS FOR THE ROOM.

While the audience was finding vent for its displeasure at the non-appearance of Dempsey, the shrill voice of the landlady of the premises was heard in tones of expostulation, and forcing her way through a portion of the crowd, she shouted:--

"I want my money; I want $20 for the room!"

One of Dempsey's patrons made an elaborate speech to prove that the room had been tendered for what might be taken over the bar, and the landlady had to take the speech in lieu of the $20 she demanded.

At a quarter past three o'clock Dempsey, attended by Frank White and Dan Dougherty, stepped inside the ring, and disrobing at once commenced. Dempsey is twenty-one years of age, stands five feet eight inches, and weighed 138 pounds. Dacey was two pounds lighter, two inches shorter and one year older than the Williamsburg man. Both looked remarkably fit to fight, especially Dacey, whose face was the picture of health, and it looked odds on him as the men sat in their chairs. Betting was, however, at odds on Dempsey--first offers of even money, then $100 to $75 and $50 to $30, but Fulljames shouted in reply:--

"We want two to one or we won't back Dacey," and this put a stop to speculation.A sportsman well known in cocking circles, and who answered for the occasion to the name of Mr. Gidden, having been selected as referee, he called the men to the scratch at twenty-five minutes past three o'clock. Both men stripped to the waist, Dempsey wearing blue trunks and Dacey white trunks, and on their hands they had fencing gloves, while another set was at hand in case of police interference, but there was no occasion to use these.

[McGoorty]

THE FIGHT.

FIRST ROUND.--Dacey, when he put up his hands, reminded one very much of Jem Murray, having the same vicious look and determined appearance. Dempsey, on the contrary, was easy in his movements. After sparring for some time Dacey led at the body, but was short. Dempsey then tried at the head, and they got to infighting and clutching at once. On breaking away, Dacey next got his right on the cheek, and Dempsey got home a good one on the throat. This nettled Dacey, who dashed in and landed a smashing blow on Dempsey's forehead, but the latter twisted Dacey off and he fell in Dempsey's corner. There was a good deal of grabbing and holding at the close of this round, and when time was called there was little to choose between the men.

SECOND ROUND.--Dempsey's forehead was flushed and swollen when he stood up for the second round. Dempsey led off with the left at the body without a return. Dacey then ran in and a succession of hugging matches took place. They then sparred for wind, and Dacey again began operations by a stinging right hander on the side of Dempsey's face. Dempsey was the next to do any business--a flush hit with the left on Dacey's cheek spinning the latter around. A number of sharp rallies followed, in one of which Dacey fell, jumping to his feet, at once resumed hostilities, and they were fighting fast when time was called.

THIRD ROUND.--Both came up blowing from the effects of the fast fighting. Dempsey, after a good deal of sparring, led with the left, getting home on the chest. Dacey ran in, but was met full on the nose with a warm left hander, which steadied him. Dempsey then missed a vicious right hand blow, and in a prolonged rally in one corner Dacey was very busy with both hands at the body. On breaking away they sparred for wind to the end of the round. An even bet of $25 was here made, and the offer of the backer of Dacey to lay another $50 failed to meet with a response.

FOURTH ROUND.--Dempsey was slow in responding to the timekeeper's call, and Dacey, after a few passes, went in to fight his man. Dempsey's replies were weak and his blows lacked force, so that the Greenpointer's friends were jubilant at the prospect of speedy victory and offered odds of $50 to $30 on Dacey.

FIFTH ROUND.--Dempsey kept away from his man as well as possible, as he was still weak, and Dacey was unable to get in any hard blows. In a rally in Dempsey's corner Dacey fell heavily, with Dempsey on top. This shook Dacey very much and the tide of battle at once took a turn. Dempsey forced the fighting and dashed in left and right, the latter drawing first blood from Dacey's mouth. Dacey clinched and held Dempsey at every opportunity and Dempsey had a lot the best of the fighting.SIXTH ROUND.--Dempsey showed a slight cut on the cheekbone, under the left eye, and blood was also trickling from a wound on the side of Dacey's nose as they stepped forward. Dempsey did all the leading off in this round, and after he had visited Dacey's neck, ribs and mouth with his right, he got in a righthander on the ear which sounded above the shouts of the excited spectators. Dacey's ear was split and began to bleed freely. Dempsey was again favorite at the close of the round.

SEVENTH ROUND.--Both wanted more time and began with a long sparring bout. Dacey at last commenced by trying with the right at the stomach, but was short, and immediately dashed in to a clinch. After breaking away Dempsey delivered his left on the ribs and the men got to close quarters. Dempsey now fell off weak, and Dacey tried his best to wind him up fighting him for all he was worth till they were stopped. Dempsey was taken to his corner decidedly weak.

EIGHTH ROUND.--Dacey ran up to the scratch as if to dispose of his opponent at once, but then began sparring. A long shot with the left by Dempsey landed lightly on Dacey's chin, and the former, boring in, was well met by Dacey with both hands. Dacey then landed a stinging left-hander on the stomach, and Dempsey, rushing to close quarters, fought Dacey down in the corner. Dacey from this on did the better work, and when time was called he was fighting Dempsey in the latter's corner.

NINTH ROUND.--Dempsey was again slow in coming up to the scratch, but he was the first to make play with his left on the chin. He then jumped in, delivering a sounder on Dacey's jaw with his left and got back without a return. After a couple of rallies Dacey tried with his left, but was hotly countered on the mouth, the blow completely staggering him. From that time to the end of the round Dempsey landed blow after blow on Dacey's bleeding mouth, following him all over the ring and doing as he pleased with his man, whose replies were most feeble. At the call of time Dacey was taken to his corner, and then pulling off his gloves told his seconds he had had enough and would fight no more. Fulljames went across and told Dempsey, who at once came over and shook hands with Dacey. The men had then been in the ring 35m. 45s. from the first call of time.

THE POLICE BEHIND TIME.

A move was at once made for Brooklyn, and six coaches, containing seventeen men, were stopped by the police of the Bergen street station, Brooklyn, near the main entrance of Prospect Park. The occupants, together with the drivers, were arrested on the charge of misdemeanor. The accused, for the most part, gave fictitious names at the station house, and when taken before Justice Walsh later in the day some were unable to remember their adopted names. As there was no evidence against them they were all discharged.